The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has responded to a Right to Information (RTI) request from the Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Committee, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, by providing a more than 200-page report on the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa amid reported xenophobic attacks.
A source within Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee confirmed that the Ministry submitted the response electronically on Friday, September 18, 2026.
The documents reportedly contain information on more than 1,900 Ghanaian evacuees, including contact information and signatures.
1,964 Ghanaians Evacuated from South Africa
The evacuation exercise was conducted between May 27 and September 4, 2026, resulting in the return of 1,964 Ghanaians to the country.
The operation cost a total of GH¢49,721,786, according to figures previously disclosed by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa at a press conference on September 7, 2026.
Out of the total expenditure, GH¢38,835,512 was used for chartered flights, commercial airline tickets, ground transportation, food, accommodation and medical services for the returnees.
Another GH¢10,802,000 was allocated to reintegration and transportation allowances, while GH¢84,274 covered the repatriation of the remains of two Ghanaian nationals.
Government and Private Sector Funding
The government provided GH¢33,721,786 towards the South Africa evacuation exercise, while Engineers and Planners contributed GH¢16 million to support the operation.
The disclosure follows an RTI application submitted by Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh while the evacuation programme was still ongoing.
The Minority in Parliament had requested detailed financial and operational records to enable Parliament and the public to scrutinise how the funds allocated to the exercise were utilised.
Among the information requested were details concerning flights, procurement procedures, payments, private-sector contributions and assistance provided to returnees during their reintegration.
Minority Seeks Documentation on GH¢49.7 Million Expenditure
The Minority has stated that it does not oppose efforts to evacuate Ghanaians facing threats in South Africa but wants documentary evidence supporting the GH¢49.7 million evacuation expenditure.
Minority representatives have requested records covering expenses related to flights, accommodation, food, medical care and reintegration support.
They also sought supporting documents, including invoices, receipts, payment vouchers, contracts and procurement records, to facilitate scrutiny of the expenditure.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry had earlier indicated that a comprehensive account would be provided after the evacuation exercise had been completed.
The operation officially ended on September 4, 2026, when the final group of 41 Ghanaian returnees arrived in Ghana. The Ministry subsequently announced that nearly 2,000 Ghanaians had been successfully brought home.
Foreign Affairs Ministry Requests Special Audit
As part of efforts to strengthen transparency and accountability in government spending, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also asked the Auditor-General to conduct a special audit into evacuation exercises undertaken by the Ministry from 2017 to date.
Documents reviewed by MyJoyOnline indicate that the request was submitted to the Auditor-General on September 17, 2026.
The proposed audit will not be limited to the 2026 South Africa evacuation. It is expected to examine previous evacuation exercises conducted by the Ministry during the specified period.
The RTI response and proposed special audit are expected to provide additional information on government expenditure, evacuation operations, procurement procedures and financial accountability, as Parliament and the public continue to scrutinise the use of public funds.
Source: newsthemegh.com